The Importance of Turnout
1979-2014 : decline in turnout
2019 : A unique election of the return of participation ?
In 2019, voter turnout was exceptionally high, as 50,66 % of voters casted a ballot. As the 2019-2024 term of office has been marked by a strong development of the Union’s action in the face of crises, the participation rate in 2024 will be a strong indicator of the public’s perception of these changes. 
KEY– 1979: 9 (Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, UK)
– 1984: 10 (9 + Greece)
– 1998 and 1994: 12 (10 + Spain and Portugal)
– 1999: 15 (12 + Austria, Finland, Sweden)
– 2004: 25 (15 + Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia & Czech Republic).
– 2009 : 27 (25 + Bulgaria, Romania).
– 2014: 28 (27 + Croatia)
Source : C. Deloy, D. Reynié, The European Elections of June 2004, Paris, Presses universitaires de France, 2005, p.40
1979 – 2019 : growth of the electoral body
Following the enlargements of the EU we have witnessed a rise in the number of voters.
Nearly 185 million European voters were called to ballot in 1979 in comparison with 375 million in 2009, more than 394 million in 2014, and nearly 450 millions in 2019.
Following the departure of the United Kingdom, the number of voters will be closer to 400 millions in 2024.
